The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-24
MARYLAND POLITICS.
sem. o,rse of the Questions Which the
"0 Legislature Will Determine.

From the Baltimore San.
As the time approaches for the meeting
of the General Assembly of Maryland next
month good deal of interest is manifesting
itself, not only in the partition of the places
of honor and emolument, but also in coming
to an understanding on some of the i'm
portant measures to be carried out. The
Democratic party, which is so largely in the
majority in both branches of the Legis!a-
ture, will, of course, carry into effect what
ever measures may be considered essential.
1t is not usual to go into caucus on meas
ures, as it is considered that they have been
already debated on the hustings and de-
cided at the polls. This is true in this
state at this time in regard to one or two
of the important questions about which an
issue was made-especially the one having
reference to the preservation of the purity
of the ballot, which includes new registra-
ton of voters and modified election law.
In regard to the organization of the Leg
islature, that is a matter which will be
speedily disposed of. 1t is the habit of
the Democrats to assemble in Baltimore,
and, after general exchange of views,
transfer the further consideration of mat
tiers to caucus on the night before the
meeting of the Legislature in Annapolis,
where the majority decides upon the pre-
siding officers, chief clerks and one or two
other necessary functionaries. The com
mittees are then appointed, and the legis-
latiye machinery is in week generally
fairly in motion.
The Legislature of 1888 will elect the
state treasurer for two years, who is mem
Der ex-oficio of the board of public works
lone Of the triumvirate which exercises
really large share of the executive power
in MARYLAND. 1t seems to be settled that
Hon. Stevenson Archer, the present treas
urer, will be reelected without opposition
in. the Democratic party. To the city Of
Baltimore, however, the most important of
the offices to be filled by the Legislature
this winter are the police conmissionerships.
The place of Mr.. Robson will have to be
filed for six years, and the remainder of
the term Of John Milroy, deceased, will
have to be provided for. The Milroy term
will expire March 10, 1891. Mr.. A. j.
Carr is filling the vacancy ad interim. The
wish of the city delegation, expressed in
Democratic caucus, usually determines such
nominations. ig o
First among the public measures will be
the publication of the election laws-not
80 much because the basis Of the ballot is
impure as that the election law was made
the pretext in the late campaign by those
having other objects in view who soughtto
ride into power on that question. Even in
Baltimore city, where the courts were en-
gagged for weeks in searching characterization
books for fraud with the microscope Of
scientific Jurisprudence, nothing Of the
sort was found. But as the Democratic
party is pledged to a new election law,
and as a hundred thousand voters in the
state went to the polls with Democratic
tickets in their hands TO insure such a re.
suit, there can be no retraction. Indeed
the election law has been already prepared
for submission to the Legislature for enact
ment.
The steady improvement of the state I
finances for the past FIVE or six years has
encouraged hope that even the low tax
rate Of 1871 cents on the 500 would be
reduced, but It is considered that it would
be wiser to let the tax rate continue as il
has been for the past ten years until some
further necessary refunding isaccomplished
for which the Legislature Of 1888 viii b.
called on to provide. The sterling 5 pei
cent. loan Of four millionsof dollars vii
.s....~. =. 900 The fraoc,rv relief {, ma